When it comes to skincare, we all know that specificity is important.

Whether we’re refining our cleansing routine, finding a suitable SPF or booking a treatment with a dermatologist, we want to feel safe in the knowledge that our individual needs will be carefully attended to, regardless of our physiological differences.

For Black women, however, accessing skincare services can be a challenge.

The skincare industry has long struggled with a lack of inclusivity, and its legacy affects everything from clinical trials and beauty campaigns, to professionals who lack knowledge and expertise in treating common skincare issues experienced by women of colour, such as hyperpigmentation, dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN) and melasma.

For aesthetician Dija Ayodele, the disparities were impossible to ignore.

After treating a number of clients who had travelled far from multicultural cities in search of expert care, she founded the pioneering Black Skin Directory in 2018, a platform which equips people of colour with a wealth of information about specific concerns, and connects them with experienced skincare professionals in the UK.

Demand soon proved that its creation was essential: according to a recent survey of Black women’s skincare experiences conducted by the platform, 92% of respondents reported that it was a challenge to find and access a skincare professional who could meet their needs.

Here, Ayodele discusses the story behind Black Skin Directory, her passion for accessibility, and how the skincare world must evolve to ensure no woman gets left behind.

“How I created a platform to address the neglect of darker skin tones in the beauty world”